President Trump Rallies Votes for McMaster Ahead of Runoff

President Trump rallied with Gov. Henry McMaster at Airport High School in West Columbia. The 71-year old McMaster is competing with 39-year old Greenville businessman John Warren for the Republican nomination. Recent polls show the two candidates in a tight race.

Monday night storms delayed Airforce One from landing briefly. The President made his appearance just before 8PM; he referred to McMaster as a friend and joked that storms got so bad, pilots suggested turning around.

"We're not going to do that for a man named Henery McMaster," Trump said. He added he wouldn't have the courage to call McMaster to tell him they were turning around because of rain.

The president said McMaster was one of his earliest supporters. "Henry was there at the beginning; he's a fighter he's tough, he's strong and he's a gentleman."

Long lines of Trump supporters braved the Summer heat to support the President and Henry McMaster.

Credit Thelisha Eaddy/ SC Public Radio

McMaster returned the kinds. When referenceing the storms that kept Trump delayed, McMaster called the president "the real force of nature" that stepped into South Carolina.

"Donald Trump has kept every promise that he's made. We love him, we for him. He's going to make America great again. We gone help him do it. We're going to do it right here in South Carolina."

That loyalty has paid off for McMaster. Trump has appeared in campaign ads for the Republican Governor and this past Saturday, Vice President Pence stumped with McMaster in Myrtle Beach.

Trump is aware of what his endorsement can do for a candidate. During his hour-long speech, he mentioned why he decided to tweet in favor of state lawmaker Katie Arrington, hours before polls closed during the June 12 primary election.

"You know the last time I supported somebody, you know, was Katie." The President was in Singapore at the time. Three hours before polls closed, he tweeted to his base to vote for Arrington.

"I fully endorse Katie Arrington for Congress in SC, a state I love. She is tough on crime and will continue our fight to lower taxes. VOTE Katie!," the president tweeted.

Mark Sanford has been very unhelpful to me in my campaign to MAGA. He is MIA and nothing but trouble. He is better off in Argentina. I fully endorse Katie Arrington for Congress in SC, a state I love. She is tough on crime and will continue our fight to lower taxes. VOTE Katie!

The Summerville Republican ended up leading by some 3,000 votes. During the McMaster rally, Trump said Katie was also an early supporter and he can't "stand that guy," referring to Rep. Mark Sanford. Sanford has been critical of the President for his sometimes unpresidential behavior.

The President encouraged the crowd to send their love to Arrington, who was endured in a fatal car accident days after her win over Sanford. "So Katie, we're all pulling for you and we're praying for your very swift recovery."

Trump emphasized the importance of voting in Tuesday's GOP primary, at one point telling supporters the

Hours before Trump arrived, supporters packed Airport High School Gym. Some berated members of the media for reporting "fake news."

Credit Thelisha Eaddy/ SC Public Radio

fake media will judeg him based on election results. The spirited crowd chanted "fake news." Hours before the President took to the stage groups of Trump supporters took rounds berating members of the media. During the President's speech, he gave the crowd more opportunity to "boo" the press.

"Look at all those fake newsers back there, thats a lot. Thats a lot of people. Thats a lot of people," the Presdient said.

The president did not stick to script. He joked that he hadn't looked at the teleprompter once. Instead, he talked about an assortment of topics including: Hillary Clinton; building a wall; his TV show the Apprentice; late night talk show hosts Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel; as well as his own hair.

The Presdient also mentioned his efforts towards denuclearization in North Korea, Immigration and how the Democrats do not like borders.